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Medication adherence is crucial for treatment efficacy, especially for chronic conditions rampant in Saudi Arabia. This study highlights that despite efforts by healthcare professionals, 50% of patients do not adhere to their medication plans. It emphasizes the pivotal role of providers in promoting adherence but notes challenges such as limited consultation time and cultural barriers. The study, involving 397 healthcare professionals, indicates a predominant reliance on direct patient inquiries and treatment response evaluation and underscores the need for role-specific interventions and more robust tracking systems.
Healthcare professionals are key to promoting patient adherence but face significant barriers.
Medication adherence is vital for the effective management of chronic diseases, which are prevalent in Saudi Arabia. Healthcare professionals, including physicians and pharmacists, are central in fostering adherence by educating patients and addressing their concerns.
According to Wael Y. Khawagi, 'Healthcare professionals’ direct communication with patients is essential for improving adherence, yet often underestimated.'
Challenges such as limited consultation times and cultural differences complicate these interactions. Without understanding these barriers, healthcare interventions can be ineffective, further exacerbating medication non-adherence and increasing healthcare costs.
Innovative and structured assessment methods are crucial for effective adherence management.
The study reveals a reliance on direct patient inquiries and treatment response evaluations by healthcare professionals to assess medication adherence. These methods are favored for their simplicity, yet they might not adequately predict adherence patterns.
'Direct inquiries provide immediate feedback, but miss the holistic view required for effective adherence strategies,' noted Khawagi and colleagues.
To bridge this gap, tools like the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS) and electronic monitors can provide deeper insights into patient behavior, enabling more refined interventions.
Understanding and addressing cultural nuances is essential for improving medication adherence.
Saudi Arabia's multicultural population brings unique challenges related to language, cultural norms, and health literacy. These factors can hinder patient-provider communication and complicate adherence strategies.
'Healthcare providers must navigate cultural nuances that shape patient behavior, particularly during periods like Ramadan,' Khawagi said.
To address these challenges, healthcare professionals in Saudi Arabia require culturally adapted interventions. These could include clear communication strategies and education initiatives tailored to patient backgrounds.
Policy improvements should focus on resource allocation and professional development to enhance adherence outcomes.
The study underscores the importance of structured policy and resource allocation to aid healthcare professionals. Given the demanding nature of their roles, these measures can alleviate excessive workloads and allow for better adherence strategies.
'Policymakers must address systemic challenges to improve adherence practices,' emphasized Khawagi.
Focusing on professional development and the deployment of systematic tools can enable healthcare providers to better manage adherence, ultimately improving patient care and reducing healthcare costs.
Khawagi, W. Y., Baali, F. H., Alnefaie, N. M., Albishi, S. A., Al-swat, A. H., Alshahrani, D. A., Alshemaimri, R. A., & Alshehri, A. A. (2025). A Cross-Sectional Survey on the Management of Medication Adherence Among Healthcare Professionals in Saudi Arabia. Healthcare, 13(3), 347. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13030347
Alosaimi, K., Alwafi, H., Alhindi, Y., Falemban, A., Alshanberi, A., Ayoub, N., & Alsanosi, S. (2022). Medication Adherence among Patients with Chronic Diseases in Saudi Arabia. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(16), 10053. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191610053
Khayyat, S. M. S., Alhazmi, R. S. H., Mohamed, M. M. A., & Hadi, M. A. (2017). Predictors of Medication Adherence and Blood Pressure Control among Saudi Hypertensive Patients Attending Primary Care Clinics: A Cross-Sectional Study. PLoS ONE, 12, e0171255. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0171255